Got internet but NOT netowrk access. and other stuff!

[KarenMarie]

Machine 1 = XP PRO
Machine 2 = XP home
Machine 3 = Win ME
Laptop = XP PRO

Wireless Linksys router, all three machine Linksys wireless NIC, laptop internal wireless NIC.
Using Norton Internet security on machine 1 and four. ICF is disabled wherever need be. All four machines have access to the internet. This is where the problem begins.

ok, Machine one is a new build. When I was just using machines 2, 3 and laptop they all shared files and printers and stuff perfectly. But now, they all have internet access but none of them can access any of the other ones. Machine one will see the others but if I try to access, it will stop responding and kinda hang until I have to reboot. one the other machines and laptop, I get the standard error message about locations not found or check permissions ..etc.

I have checked and rechecked the configurations and cannot see what I am doing wrong. Obtain IP, enable NetBIOS, DHCP enabled, all on same workgroup. Also tried disabling the firewall even though it is configured for the network.

Something else that confuses me, that might be non related... a while back there were four machines. the new build (machine 1) replaced another machine. Back then, the machine was named PAC Transport. This machine no longer exists. However, when I installed XP PRO on machine 1, I entered PAC Transport during installation. I have changed the computer name since then. when I go to network places on the laptop it shows me all the old folders from the machine that no longer exists. It does not show me ANY folders from machine 1 or machine 2. It is kinda like it is stuck in a time warp from the old network. It is only when I go to show workgroup computers that I see the machine listed above that should be there, but cannot access any of them. Also, if I bring up the task manager on machine one and look under users, it shows me PAC Transport, but when I log on or look at accounts it is not there. What I changed it to is.

Any suggestions greatly appreciate and I apologize in advance for explaining all this so poorly.

KarenMarie

karenmarie at comcast dot net

[John Prophet]

one quick tidbit..as far as I know XP doesnt like computer names with a space in them....I had a problem connecting from XP to a 98se machine when the 98 machine had a space in the comp name. In other words when the 98 machine was named "Joe's comp" there would be problems..but when it was renamed to "Joe'scomp", with no space..it was fine.

The problem I had was with quickbooks locking up while trying to save from the xp machine to the 98se machine. The XP machine was a pavillion that used to be a WinME machine....when it was an ME machine it didnt mind the space in the name of the 98se machine at all....but when I installed XP on the pavillion..it would lock up trying to save to the 98 machine until I took the space out of the name.

Just something to doublecheck.

Plus of course the default workgroup name for 98se and WinME is "workgroup" while on XP it is "MSHOME"..so one or the other need to be changed so they all match.

Another thing is on XP pro there is somethign called "simple tcp/ip service".....and to be honest someone else will have to chime in on that subject because I cant remember what the deal is with that...either it needs to be installed or uninstalled, lol..I cant remember..somebody help me out there.....but thats another thing to keep in mind, that there are some differences in xp home and xp pro as far as default settings.

JP

JP

[KarenMarie]

When I installed XP PRO on this machine (1) they asked for a name, and I gave PAC Transport. Since then I have gone into system properties... Computer Name... and renamed the machine to KarenMarie. It shows still registered to PAC Transport, but the computer name is KarenMarie. The accounts are KarenMarie and guest. In control panel... user accounts... KarenMarie and Guest shows. But if I go to task manager...users.... PAC Transport is there.

I am a boob and dont know if this is correct or not, or if it even has any bearing on my network problems, but figured I would mention it.

Thanks for the reply.
KarenMarie
karenmarie at comcast dot net

[Mickwish]

Hi KarenMarie

What kind of error messages do you get if you try to browse the network from Network Neighborhood?

Also, can you access any of the machines by typing the names into a command prompt? like \\computername\sharname? If not, what error does it give?

And (last one! ) can you ping each machine from the other by computername (not username)? (Just open a command prompt and type ping computername - ccomputername is what is listed if you rightclick My Computer and choose properties, ComputerName tab)

Sounds like its a failure of the browse function more than anything else.

Let us know what errors you find.

Cheers
Mick

[Mickwish]

Oh, and here's another thing... (sorry... )

Try checking whether Simple File Sharing is Enabled or zdisabled on each WinXP PC Pro install. XP Home defaults top Simple File Sharing, so unless you changed it, it still will be. Maybe one is trying to set persmissions for all of them or something.

Open Windows Explorer and click on Tools - Folder Options in the menu. Click the view tab, and scroll to the bottom and see if Use Simple File Sharing is ticked or not. Should be the same (ticked) for both win XP Pro installs. I don't think XP Home even has this checkbox in it.

Might be as simple as that!

Cheers
Mick

[John Prophet]

Thats what I was trying to say Mick, about the simple file sharing...I was calling it simple TCP/IP...I have like 3 minutes experience with xp pro.

JP

[KarenMarie]

ok, for a start, can someone PLEASE tell me how to configure machine 1 so it will not hand/freeze when I try to access ANYthing in the network?

I am sick of having to reboot every time I click the friggin mouse on anything in there.

P.S. got the laptop and the XP home machine talking!

[KarenMarie]

UPDATE:

[KarenMarie]

well, talk about hitting the wrong button!!!

ok, machine 2, 3 and laptop are all in full swing. macnine one can access all other machine but NONE of the other machines can access machine 1.

I am sure it is just a stupid oversight in configs, but I am missing it!

KarenMarie
karenmarie at comcast dot net

[Mickwish]

Are you sure Simple File Sharing is not disabled, KarenMarie?

Sure sounds like a permission issue.

Try having a look at Helmigs help with winXP Pro networking. Something may become clearer if you read through his steps.

Cheers
Mick